Carolina Panthers: Report – Panthers to tag Josh Norman
It looks like the Carolina Panthers are close to franchising free agent cornerback Josh Norman.
The Carolina Panthers went into the off season with one huge goal. That would be retaining the services of Josh Norman for another year. If they could not negotiate a long term deal now, then it would be the franchise tag to keep Norman in place while a longer deal is hammered out. According to reports from Conor Orr of Around the NFL, the Panthers will take that action.
March 1 is not just Super Tuesday in the political season, but it is also the deadline for using the franchise tag for NFL teams. By 4:00 PM we will know for sure since that is the end of the franchise period.
Tagging a player automatically gives them a year deal worth the average of the top 5 players at their position. Since Norman was likely to command even more than that on the market, the Panthers will reportedly take this lower cost option.
How much did they save? Norman might have made $15 million a year in free agency. The tag will give him a salary of just under $14 million.
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Despite the rise in the NFL salary cap, Norman’s deal will take away much of the flexibility of the team to sign any other high priced free agents. That might preclude the Panthers from bringing in Eric Weddle from the Chargers or Jason Pierre-Paul from the Giants. The team could still try to renegotiate contracts already on the books to get more room.
Norman’s pay-day has the support of at least one of his important Panthers teammates. In an interview with David Newton of ESPN Panthers captain Thomas Davis talked about how Norman had earned his money and the team would be glad to get him back.
If the Panthers cannot find the dough to sign Weddle, then they could bring back safety Roman Harper for another season. Harper said he was interested in coming back, but his comparatively smaller salary would likely make him a late addition toward the end of the free agency period. The Panthers do not want to lose too many leadership figures like Harper and the recently retired Jared Allen since the team needs to stay on keel.
The franchise deadline is coming fast. Look to see Norman tagged by 4:00 PM.